In Best of the Best, we honour the brands and people behind the most covetable products. Here are the best of the best in the world of private aviation
Supersonic: Boom XB-1
In January, Boom’s XB-1 became the first civil supersonic jet to break the sound barrier since the Concorde. The Colorado-based start-up is using the needle-nosed jet as a testing platform for Overture, a commercial supersonic airliner that Boom plans to have in service by 2030.
The XB-1’s Mach 1.122 (1,385km/h) flight became a milestone in aviation history, partly because it was the first civilian supersonic jet built in the US, but mostly because the aircraft was created by a small core team of about 50 people on a limited budget—supersonic programmes developed by military forces typically cost tens of billions—with zero government assistance.
The Overture’s Symphony engines will have a Boomless Cruise feature that allows it to transition to supersonic speeds at altitudes above 30,000ft without the supersonic boom reaching the ground. This detail could prove critical to Overture’s feasibility for overland travel. The XB-1, which many naysayers argued would never fly, is proof that supersonic commercial flight could soon be downright routine.
Global Private-Jet Tours: Aman Jet Expeditions
In the small but competitive niche of private-jet journeys, Aman Resorts and Remote Lands have partnered to develop an even more exclusive nook: global adventures for clients who don’t usually do group travel.
Compared to flying competitors with 48-seat jets, Remote Lands’ custom Airbus ACJ319, configured in a lounge design, accommodates just 16 to 19 people, with two flight attendants, two pilots, an engineer, and a chef. Guests stay at Aman five-star hotels and resorts on itineraries that include round-the-world travel or region-specific destinations such as Southeast Asia.
Many trips include personalised tours with private cars, drivers, and guides. This combination of selective socialisation and bespoke travel sets Aman Jet Expeditions apart.
Turboprop: Beechcraft King Air 260
In 1964, the King Air is not only the world’s bestselling turboprop business aircraft but also an icon among aircraft aficionados. Parent company Textron created a commemorative 60th Crimson Edition to celebrate its success, with deliveries taking place this year.
The vibrant red and silver exterior, with a custom interior featuring dark leather seats and crimson accent piping, harks back to the King Air’s earlier days, while its modern cockpit includes digital pressurisation, multi-scan weather radar, and Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line avionics. Perhaps the real beauty behind this new King Air is its ability to recall the past while embracing the future.
Light Jet: Hondajet Echelon
Hondajet’s latest aircraft boasts several technological breakthroughs. Photo by Hondajet
In January, Honda Aircraft Company began construction of the first model of its new Echelon at its North Carolina facility, with flight tests scheduled for next year. The Echelon is a clean-sheet design rather than simply a stretched HondaJet, with statistics that surpass competitors’, including a best-in-class range of 4,862km, 3.4 cubic metres of baggage space, and a maximum cruise speed of 450 knots.
The important breakthroughs lie behind the numbers. The Echelon has a fuselage length of 17.6m, compared to 13m for the standard HondaJet, and it maximises cabin space to offer 11.43cm more headroom as well as more legroom. The new avionics suite is yet to be revealed, but a confirmed gold-standard feature is Garmin’s Emergency Autoland. The technical leaps have not gone unnoticed. The Echelon has received almost 500 letters of intent to purchase.
Electric Aircraft: Archer Aviation Midnight
Archer Aviation expects to see its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft make its first commercial flight later this year in Abu Dhabi. Midnight is designed with a maximum takeoff weight of 2,948kg to carry a pilot and four passengers.
Its 12 wing-mounted propellers, capable of both vertical lift and forward flight, are powered by six large battery packs and electric motors. Its top speed is projected to be 241km/h with a maximum range of 161km.
The power train was developed in-house, while many other components were sourced from tier-one aerospace suppliers. Archer is focusing on early-adopter markets such as Abu Dhabi, where it will send pilots, technicians, and engineers to set up commercial-flight networks before establishing itself in the US. This smart business model and even smarter aircraft promise to lead the fast-emerging electric-air-taxi arena.
Sound System: Rosen Aviation Immersa In-seat AudioSphere
To achieve superb sound, Rosen Aviation partnered with audio engineer Laurence Dickie (designer of Bowers & Wilkins’ famed Nautilus speaker) to create a world-class system for business jets, bizliners, and first-class sections of commercial airliners.
Part of Rosen’s new PO-RT-AL (Personally Optimized Real-Time Augmented Luxury) system, the Immersa In-seat AudioSphere is the acoustic element, comprising 24 individual speakers tuned to create a phonic hot spot—or what the company calls a hologram—that envelops the passenger without requiring headphones or earbuds.
It accurately recreates tone, timbre, and spatiality, and by using haptic drivers instead of subwoofers, the bass effects remain localised. This sound bubble surrounds the passenger listening to music or watching a movie, while the person in the next seat, also in their own hologram, remains undisturbed.
Engine: GE Aerospace Catalyst
It’s rare to celebrate a non-flashy but critical component of an aircraft in these awards, but GE Aerospace’s Catalyst engine is a legitimate game changer in the burgeoning turboprop segment.
The power plant, which includes lightweight 3D-printed components, combines proven technology from GE’s larger commercial engines with integrated engine controls that automatically optimise fuel flow, prop, pitch, and speed.
The result is almost 20 per cent less fuel consumption, 10 per cent more power, lower carbon emissions, decreased noise levels in the cabin, and a safer, simpler pilot experience thanks to its full-authority digital engine-control technology. The innovative power plant will first appear on the Beechcraft Denali as a clean-sheet aircraft, with certification expected in 2026.
Charter Service: TAG Aviation
If you’re new to chartering a private jet, you may not be well-versed in discerning the key aspects that dictate a true world-class flying experience. While some operators attempt to entice with shiny new jets and novel itineraries, the highest echelons in the space offer a comprehensive package that delivers on the tangibles and more.
Few can boast a track record as robust as TAG Aviation’s. Established in 1966 and formerly known as Aeroleasing, TAG Aviation utilises a multitude of flight data and state-of-the-art safety management systems to ensure the ultimate peace of mind.
Beyond its exacting safety measures—including certification by Wyvern Consulting’s Wingman Standard, a benchmark for rigorous risk assessment and operational integrity—TAG Aviation also partners with the world’s leading private jet manufacturers, offering guests a refined fleet of top-tier aircraft to choose from.
And naturally, TAG Aviation’s in-flight experience is every bit as refined. From gourmet meals served on fine china to hand-selected wines, ambient lighting, and intuitive crew service, every detail is tailored to your preferences.
